High chairs

ABSTRACT

A high chair comprising a seat; a pair of armrests connected to the seat and located at the sides of the seat; a backrest connected to the seat; a pair of side panels connected to the backrest and located at the sides of the backrest to prevent a child on the seat from falling; the side panels define an angle with the support surface of the backrest, such angle may be widened or narrowed relative to said support surface to accommodate the size of the child.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a high chair for children. For example, these children may be from six months to three years old, without excluding children of other ages. The high chair is mainly used for feeding children because, as they are raised a distance from the ground, adult assistance is facilitated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Particularly, a prior art high chair for children comprises a seat for a child. A base, usually comprising two pairs of folding legs, is attached below the seat to keep it raised from the ground. A backrest is connected to the seat, such that the child is supported at the back.

A pair of armrests is fixed to the seat and/or the base. These armrests mainly have a retention purpose, i.e. they prevent the child from falling at the sides.

A tray is connected to the armrests, to close them at the front. Such tray has both a support purpose, namely supporting the food to be administered to the child, and a retention purpose. Thus, the assembly composed of the tray, the armrests and the backrest entirely encircle the child and limit the possibility that he/she might excessively lean out, and risk to fall. For this purpose, the high chair also has one or more safety straps, which are attached to the seat and/or the backrest. These straps can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the child.

Nevertheless, as the child grows up, the retaining function accomplished by the armrests and the tray is increasingly ineffective as these elements have a fixed height relative to the seat and do not prevent a child in a later stage of growth from leaning out. The risk of falling is further exacerbated by the heavier weight of the child at this age.

In view of mitigating this risk, a pair of side panels are known in the art to be fixed at the sides of the backrest. These side panels are oriented in planes substantially perpendicular to the backrest, and are attached to the outer edges. Usually, such side panels are formed of one piece with the backrest.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A drawback of this arrangement is that the side panels make the high chair uncomfortable at the later stages of growth of the child, as they limit the available space. Nevertheless, they cannot and should not be removed, as the risk that the child may fall would considerably increase.

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a high chair that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.

Namely, the object of the present invention is to provide a high chair that is more comfortable for children at a later stage of growth, whole ensuring a higher safety by limiting the risk of falling.

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a high chair that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Particularly, a high chair of the present invention comprises a seat and support means for such seat. A pair of armrests is connected to the seat. Namely, each arm rest is placed on a respective side of the seat. A backrest is connected to the seat.

A pair of side panels are connected to the backrest. Each side panel is located on a respective side of the backrest to prevent a child on the seat from falling. These side panels may be opened apart or closed together relative to the backrest to adapt to the size of the child.

This device solves the technical problem as it allows the side panels to be opened apart and/or closed together and hence allows the high chair to adapt to the size of the child at any stage of growth, without giving up the additional safety provided by the side panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a high chair as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high chair of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a detail of the high chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an rear view of the detail of FIG. 2, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the detail of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-8 are respective detail views of the high chair of FIG. 1, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 designates a high char for children of the present invention.

Such high chair 1 comprises a seat 2 for a child. Support means 3 support the seat. Referring to FIG. 1, such support means 3 comprise, for instance, two pairs of legs 4. The legs 4 of each pair are connected together by a bearing member 5. Also, the two pairs of legs 4 are hinged together at a hinge 6, allowing the high chair 1 to be collapsed and stored when not in use. Advantageously, the seat 2 is hinged to the hinge 6.

A pair of armrests 7 is connected to the seat 2. The armrests 7 are located at the sides of the seat 2. These armrests 7 may be at least partially formed of one piece with the seat 2.

A backrest 8 is connected to the seat 2. Particularly, the backrest 8 is at least partially formed of one piece with the seat 2. More in detail, the backrest 8 has a pair of side edges 8 a. Each edge 8 a defines a respective side of the backrest 8. The backrest 8 also has a front surface 8 b which supports, in operation, the back of the child. The backrest 8 also has a rear surface 8 c, opposite to the front surface 8. Further details about the backrest 8 will be provided hereinbelow.

A tray (not shown) is adapted to be connected to the armrests 7. In use, the tray lies in a substantially horizontal position, and objects can be laid thereon. Advantageously, the tray restrains the child on the seat 2, limits his/her movements and prevents him/her from falling forward.

A footrest 10 is fixed to the seat 2. Advantageously, the footrest 10 is adjustable to adapt to the child's growth.

According to the present invention, a pair of side panels 11 are connected to the backrest 8. These side panels 11 are placed at the sides of the backrest 8 to prevent the child on the seat 2 from falling sideways. Advantageously, the side panels 11 may be opened apart and/or closed together relative to the backrest 8 to adapt to the sizes of the child. In the embodiment as described and shown in the annexed figures, the side panels 11 have a planar conformation. In other terms, the side panels 11 are substantially flat. In alternative embodiments, not shown, the side panels 11 may have any conformation whatever, i.e. a concave, convex or any other conformation.

More in detail, each side panel 11 is hinged to a respective edge 8 a of the backrest 8, to pivot relative to the backrest 8. Particularly, the side panels 11 are designed to be opened apart/closed together symmetrically with respect to a center plane of the high chair 1. In other words, the side panels 11 pivot substantially like doors relative to the backrest 8.

More in detail, the side panels 11 can move between a minimum opening configuration and a maximum opening configuration. In the maximum opening configuration the side panels 11 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the backrest 8. In the maximum opening configuration, the side panels 11 have an opening of more than 90° relative to the backrest 8, e.g. 130°. It shall be noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the side panels 11 may be arranged in a discrete, i.e. non-continuous number of intermediate configurations between minimum opening and maximum opening. Further details will be provided hereinbelow. It shall be noted that, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, any number of configurations may be selected between minimum opening and maximum opening, i.e. the side panels 11 are adapted to continuously move between the minimum opening configuration and the maximum opening configuration.

According to the present invention, the high chair 1 comprises adjustment means 12 for the side panels 11. These adjustment means 12 are configured to open apart the side panels 11 and/or bring them close together. In other words, the adjustment means 11 allow the user to select the configuration of the side panels 11 from those as discussed above. More particularly, the adjustment means 12 are fixed to the rear surface 8 c of the backrest 8.

More in detail, the adjustment means 12 comprise a pair of tie rods 13. Each tie rod 13 is operable on a respective side panel 11, to pivot it relative to the backrest 8. In the embodiment as described and illustrated herein, the tie rods 13 are preferably rigid bars, more preferably made of metal. In alternative embodiments, the tie rods 13 may be of any type. As it can be noted from FIG. 2, the tie rods 13 are disposed in a substantially horizontal position along the rear surface 8 c of the backrest 8 and slide, in operation, relative to such rear surface 8 c, as more clearly shown hereinafter.

Particularly, each tie rod 13 has a first end 13 a and a second end 13 b. The first ends 13 a of the tie rods 13 are connected each to a respective side panel 11. Namely, each side panel 11 has a seat 18 for receiving the first end 13 a of the respective tie rod 13.

The adjustment means 12 further comprise a plate 14. Such plate 14 has a center of symmetry. More particularly, the plate 14 has a substantially circular shape.

The plate 14 is rotatably connected to the backrest 8, particularly to its rear surface 8 c, to rotate relative to the backrest 8. More in detail, the plate 16 fits into a seat 19 formed on the backrest 8.

It shall be noted that the plate 14 may rotate about its own axis of rotation “C”, particularly within the seat 19. The second ends 13 b of the tie rods 13 are connected to the plate 14, such that they may move close to and/or away from each other upon rotation of the plate 14 to open apart the side panels 11 and/or bring them close together.

More in detail, a pair of guides 15 are formed on the plate 14. It shall be noted that the second ends 13 b of the tie rods 13 are each slidably associated with a respective guide 15.

More in detail, each guide 15 is defined by a groove 16 formed on the plate 14. The groove 16 has first 16 a and second 16 b ends, at different distances from the axis of rotation “C” of the plate 14 and angularly offset from each other. Particularly, the first end 16 a is at a greater distance from the axis of rotation “C” of the plate 14 than the second end 16 b. The groove is formed such that the distance of the points between the ends 16 a, 16 b seamlessly changes between the distance of the first 16 a and the second 16 b end. Thus, as the second end 15 b of the tie rod 13 engages the groove 16 it can change its distance from the axis of rotation “C” by rotation of the plate 14. In other words, the groove 16 has an eccentric profile, such that it may act like a cam. It shall be finally noted that, when the second end 13 b of the tie rod 13 engages the first end 16 a of the groove 16, the side panels 11 are in the minimum opening configuration. Likewise, when the second end 13 b of the tie rod 13 engages the second end 16 b of the groove 16, the side panels 11 are in the maximum opening configuration.

It shall be further noted that the guides 15, and hence the grooves 16 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation “C” of the plate 14. Thus, two diametrically opposite points of the guides 15 will be at the same distance from the axis of rotation “C” of the plate 14 thereby causing the two side panels 11 to open symmetrically.

The high chair 1 further comprises locking means 17 for the plate 14, which are designed to lock the rotation of the plate 14 relative to the backplate 8. Particularly, the locking means 17 comprise a rack 20 attached to the backrest 8. A slider 21 is connected to the plate 14 to be able to rotate therewith. The slider 21 has an engagement area 22 which is configured to come to interference with the rack 20. More particularly, the engagement area 22 has at least one tooth 26 which is configured to come to interference with the rack 20, to thereby lock the rotation of the plate 14.

More in detail, the rack 20 is formed as a circular arc, and is preferably manufactured of one piece with the backrest 8. The rack 20 has an angular width that covers the rotation range of the plate 14 thereby ensuring that the engagement area 22 will face the rack 20.

It shall be noted that the slider 21 may be switched between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the engagement area 22 comes to interference with the rack 20 to lock the rotation of the plate 14 In the second position, the engagement area 22 is spaced from the rack 20 to allow rotation of the plate 14.

The locking means 17 further comprise elastic means 23 between the slider 21 and the plate 14, to urge the slider 21 from the second position to the first position. These means 23 particularly comprise a spring 24 which is pressed by the displacement of the slider 21 from the first position to the second position, and is actuated by the user using a knob 25 on the slider 21.

Thus, when the user wants to change the position of the side panels 11, he/she acts upon the slider 21 trough the knob 25. Then, the slider 21 is displaced from the first position to the second position. Now the user may rotate the plate 14 to select the opening degree of the side panels 11. Then, the user releases the knob 25 and the spring 24 pushes the slider 21 against the rack 20. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A high chair comprising a seat; support means for said seat; a pair of armrests connected to said seat and placed at each side of said seat; a backrest connected to said seat and having a pair of edges, each defining a respective side of said backrest; a pair of side panels connected to said backrest and placed at each side of said backrest to prevent a baby on said seat from falling; wherein said side panels are hinged each to a respective edge to open out and/or retract by pivoting at the respective edge of said backrest and fit the size of said baby.
 2. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side panels are configured to open out and/or retract in a symmetric manner.
 3. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises adjustment means for adjusting said side panels, which are configured to open out and/or retract said side panels.
 4. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said backrest has a front surface configured to support the back of said baby; a rear surface opposite to said front surface; said adjustment means being connected to said rear surface.
 5. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprise a pair of tie rods, each operable on a respective side panel to pivot said side panel relative to said backrest.
 6. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tie rods have each first and second ends; said adjustment means comprising a plate that is rotatably connected to said backrest to rotate relative to said backrest; a pair of guides formed on said plate, said first ends of said tie rods being connected each to a respective side panel; said second ends of said tie rods being each slidably associated with a respective guide.
 7. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guides are symmetrically arranged with respect to a center of said plate.
 8. A high chair as claimed in claim 6, further comprising locking means for said plate, for locking the rotation of said plate relative to said backrest.
 9. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprise a rack fixed to said backrest, a slider connected to the plate so that it can rotate with said plate and having an engagement area configured to come to interference with said rack, said slider being switchable between a first position, in which said engagement area comes to interference with said rack to lock the rotation of the plate and a second position in which said engagement area is spaced from the rack to allow the rotation of said plate.
 10. A high chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprise elastic means placed between said slider and said plate to push the slider from the second position to the first position. 